Interspecific tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Fruit with attractive dark red skin color.   2. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   3. Regular and productive bearer of medium to large size fruit.   4. Relatively uniform size and maturity of fruit throughout the tree.   5. Fruit with good storage and shelf life.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Interspecific Prunus species

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, ‘Bella Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,925) and our proprietary interspecific tree with theidentification number ‘263LV260’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, [Prunussalicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca)] was developed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a selected seedlingfrom open pollinated seed of our interspecific proprietary seedling withthe field identification number ‘263LV260’. The seed parent (263LV260)originated as an open pollinated seedling selection from seed of ‘BellaRoyale’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,925). A large number ofthese open pollinated seedlings, growing on their own root system, werebudded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to induceearlier maturity and fruit evaluation. Under close and carefulobservation the present seedling exhibited desirable tree and fruitcharacteristics and was selected in 2005 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of interspecific tree [Plum×Plum Cot] is of large size,vigorous upright growth and a regular bearer of large size fruit withvery good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterizedby having a very dark red skin color, firm flesh that has a good balancebetween acid and sugar and being relatively uniform in size and maturitythroughout the tree. In comparison to its seed parent ‘263LV260’ thefruit is larger in size and is approximately 24 days later in maturity.In comparison to its ancestor ‘Bella Royale’ Interspecific (U.S. PlantPat. No. 19,925) the fruit has darker red skin color and isapproximately 10 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 5 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width            for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different            types of soil and cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of approximately 1.5 to 2            meters the first growing season, varies with cultural            practices, soil type, fertility and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 40°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 3 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase sunlight to center of tree to enhance health of            fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, 33.1 cm at 38 cm above ground level on a 5            year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 2/2 to 10YR 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 16.1 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground on a 5 year old tree. Crotch angle            approximately 40°, increases with heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Size — medium. Average length 3.0 mm. Average            width 1.3 mm. Average number of 28 in a 25.8 sq cm surface            of branch. Color varies from 10YR 4/8 to 2.5Y 6/10.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 6/6. Old            growth varies from 7.5YR 3/4 to 10YR 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 66.7 mm. Average width            24.1 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and            pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 20.6 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — pubescent, very short in            length. Color varies from 5GY 4/8 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.9 mm.            Average diameter 0.4 mm. Number varies from 0 to 4, average            number 2. Located primarily on the upper portion of the            petiole and on the base of the leaf blade. Color varies from            2.5GY 6/10 to 2.5GY 5/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2 at the base of the petiole.            Average length 4.5 mm. Margin — doubly serrulate. Color            varies from 10Y 6/4 to 10Y 6/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 5/6. Midvein color varies            from 5GY 6/4 to 5GY 7/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 8.8 mm. Average            diameter 4.1 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becomes elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.7 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 5GY 7/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 10, varies from 6 to            13.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 27, 2010. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 10, 2010, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average height 12.1 mm. Average            diameter 20.1 mm.        -   Petals.—Size — small to medium. Normally 5, alternately            arranged to the sepals. Average length 10.7 mm. Average            width 8.6 mm. Form — orbicular, narrows at point of            attachment. Margin — entire. Color — N 9.5/(white). Both            surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to petals.            Size — small. Average length 3.1 mm. Average width 2.7 mm.            Form — ovate, apex rounded. Margin — entire. Color — upper            surface varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Lower surface varies            from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 6/6. Both surfaces glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 29. Average filament            length 9.1 mm. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color            varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            5Y 8/6 to 5Y 8.5/8.        -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Surface pubescent. Average length            9.7 mm. Stigma height approximately 0.5 mm above anthers.            Color varies from 10Y 8/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate to heavy aroma.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from            1 to 4.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.2 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 2.5GY 5/8. Surface — glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 11, 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 18, 2010, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 56.6 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 57.7 mm. Average weight            115.6 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Very slightly lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Very slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Rounded, some fruit with very slight tip.        -   Base.—Varies from flat to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 5.5 mm. Average diameter 7.2 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 10.3 mm. Average diameter 2.0            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 10Y 6/8 to 7.5YR 3/4.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, similar to firmness of ‘Bella Royale’            Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,925).        -   Aroma.—Moderate to heavy.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate to heavy amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average 18.0°, varies slightly with amount of fruit            per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 8/8 to 10R 6/8 next to skin. Pit            cavity color varies from 10YR 8/8 to 10YR 7/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 26.8 mm. Average width 17.2 mm.            Average depth 5.4 mm.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, very short.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/8 to 5Y 8/8.            Overspread with 5R 2/2 to 7.5R 3/10.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 25.5 mm. Average width 16.4 mm.            Average thickness 9.6 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Usually flat, varies from flat to slightly rounded.        -   Apex.—Slightly pointed. Average length 1.6 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. A small narrow groove            on each side of the suture plane.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending slightly further from the            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—A small narrow ridge on each side of the suture.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/8 to 10YR 6/6 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 14.9 mm. Average width 8.9 mm.            Average depth 5.6 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 8.5/6 to 5Y 8/6.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to    42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or    appreciable loss of eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or bruising    during picking, packing or shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described.